WASHINGTON: United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Sunday (Sep 7) that Washington was prepared to “increase pressure” on Russia but stressed that Europe must act alongside the US to force Moscow to the nereceivediating table.
His comments came after Russia launched its largest wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in more than three years of war, despite efforts by President Donald Trump to halt the fighting.
Bessent stated Trump and Vice President JD Vance held a “very productive call” with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, and that he also spoke separately with her.
“We are talking about what can the two – EU and the US – do toobtainher. And we are prepared to increase pressure on Russia,” Bessent informed NBC’s Meet the Press.
“But we required our European partners to follow us,” he added.
Trump has threatened to penalise countries purchaseing Russian oil, aiming to cut off a key source of funding for President Vladimir Putin’s war effort. So far, only India has been hit with so-called secondary sanctions.
“If the US and the EU can come in to more sanctions, secondary tariffs on the countries that purchase Russian oil, the Russian economy will be in full collapse. And that will bring President Putin to the table,” Bessent stated.
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